Cynthia Erivo Responds to Autocue Criticism During Early Previews of West End Dracula

Cynthia Erivo has addressed criticism following early preview performances of her one woman adaptation of Dracula in London’s West End, after audience members noted her brief reliance on an autocue during the opening shows.

The award winning performer, currently appearing at the Noël Coward Theatre, takes on an ambitious theatrical feat in the new staging of Bram Stoker’s gothic classic. Erivo portrays 23 characters in the production, delivering an approximately 20,000 word monologue as she shifts between roles including the infamous vampire and the many figures who orbit him.

During initial preview performances, some audience members observed that Erivo appeared to still be mastering sections of the dense script and used an autocue in certain moments. The discussion quickly circulated online, drawing commentary about the demands of the role and the pressures of high profile preview periods.

Erivo has since responded publicly, explaining that she was continuing to refine the performance as previews progressed. She described the process as one of gradual immersion, noting that the material was still settling into her as she navigated the extensive text and technical elements of the show. Rather than focusing on criticism, she has emphasised her commitment to the work itself, stating that her priority remains delivering the performance with full emotional investment.

The production is written and directed by Kip Williams, nearly two years after his Olivier Award winning adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray starring Sarah Snook. Like that earlier production, Dracula incorporates live camera work and pre recorded footage, blending theatrical storytelling with cinematic techniques. The result is a technically complex piece that requires precise coordination between performance and multimedia design.

The role marks Erivo’s first major stage project since appearing as Elphaba in the two part film adaptation of Wicked. She received an Academy Award nomination for her performance in the first instalment in 2024 and later earned a Golden Globe nomination for the sequel. In January, she opted to skip the Golden Globe ceremony in order to focus on rehearsals for Dracula.

Erivo’s theatre credentials are well established. She previously starred in the UK tour of Sister Act, appeared in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl and won a Tony Award in 2016 for her performance in The Color Purple on Broadway. Her screen credits include roles in Poker Face, Broad City and Mr Selfridge, and she has also appeared as a guest judge on Strictly Come Dancing.

Despite the scrutiny surrounding the early previews, Erivo has made clear that she intends to keep her attention on the stage rather than online commentary. With the show now settling into its run, the production continues to attract audiences eager to see the performer’s transformation across two dozen characters in one of literature’s most enduring tales.

Support from her peers has also been visible. Ariana Grande, her Wicked co star, shared a message of encouragement on social media following the performance, celebrating Erivo’s return to the stage.

As Dracula continues its West End engagement, the production stands as a bold theatrical undertaking, demanding stamina, technical precision and dramatic range from its sole performer.

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